STAR Employee of the Month: Michael Long
At Harbin Lumber Company, our STAR Employee of the Month program recognizes employees who consistently demonstrate the values that make our company strong. The letters in STAR stand for Smiling, Teaching and Learning, All In Attitude, and the Royal Law—treating others the way you want to be treated. These values are more than words on a wall; they are the foundation of how we serve our customers, support one another, and build lasting relationships.
This month, we are proud to recognize Michael Long, Athens Lumber Yard Manager, as our STAR Employee of the Month. For more than 10 years, Michael has been an integral part of the Harbin family. While he was originally hired for an Inside Sales position, it quickly became clear that his extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience made him the perfect fit for shipping operations. After spending several years as Shipping Manager, Michael stepped into his current role as Yard Manager, where he now oversees the daily operations of the Athens yard and warehouse team.
Michael’s journey in the lumber industry began in 1990, giving him more than three decades of experience. Throughout those years, he has served in management roles, learned the industry from the ground up, and built countless relationships with customers and coworkers along the way. Yet despite all his experience, Michael remains humble, eager to learn, and committed to helping others succeed.
One of the first things people notice about Michael is his positive attitude. Whether he’s helping a customer, supporting a team member, or tackling a challenge in the yard, he approaches every day with a smile and a willingness to serve. His positivity is contagious, creating an environment where people feel valued and encouraged.
Michael also embodies the Teaching and Learning aspect of being a STAR. He believes mistakes are opportunities to grow and often shares this advice with others: “It’s okay to make mistakes. Don’t dwell on them. Learn from them and move forward.” Throughout his career, he has continued learning while also mentoring and encouraging those around him. His team knows they can come to him not only for work-related guidance but also for personal encouragement when life gets difficult.
When it comes to having an All In Attitude, Michael sets the standard. He describes his commitment to Harbin simply: “When I pull onto this property, I belong to Harbin, and I’m going to give them 100%.”
Those words are evident in the way he leads every day. Michael is not a manager who sits behind a desk. More often than not, you’ll find him in the warehouse, helping pull orders, unloading trucks, receiving deliveries, loading orders, or assisting wherever help is needed. He has even worked alongside his team during evening shifts to ensure customer orders are completed and deliveries stay on schedule. His willingness to jump in and work shoulder-to-shoulder with his team is what makes him an All In leader.
“I just want to be a part of the team,” Michael says. “There’s nothing I’ll ask them to do that I won’t do myself.”
That servant leadership mindset is one of the reasons his team trusts him so deeply.
Michael also lives out the Royal Law in every interaction. He genuinely cares about people. Whether he’s talking with a longtime customer, encouraging a team member, or helping someone work through a difficult situation, he treats others with kindness, patience, and respect. Over the years, he has built relationships that extend far beyond business transactions. Many customers have known him since the early days of his career, and those relationships continue today because of the care and sincerity he brings to every conversation.
His faith plays a significant role in the way he leads and serves others. Michael often spends part of his lunch break in quiet prayer and reflection, drawing strength and wisdom from the Lord. One of his favorite Bible verses is Galatians 6:9:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
That verse perfectly reflects the way Michael approaches both work and life. Through challenges, personal loss, and demanding responsibilities, he continues to faithfully serve others and remain focused on what matters most.
Athens Lumber Yard Manager Todd Lord shared the following about Michael:
“First of all, I would like to say that Mike Long is one of the most family-oriented people I have ever met. I have had the privilege of visiting Mike’s home on a couple of occasions, and you can feel the Christ-centered love in that home that Mike has for his wife, children, grandchildren, and any other family or friends who may happen to be there. Mike joined Harbin Lumber Company’s Athens Lumber Yard a little over a decade ago. During a period of tremendous growth, we quickly realized his previous shipping experience made him the perfect fit to oversee our shipping operations. A few years later, Mike became our Yard and Warehouse Manager.
Together with Shipping Manager Hector Pinto, I call them Athens’ Two-Headed Monster because they keep our Yard, Warehouse, and Shipping Operations running smoothly and efficiently. Mike is extremely customer-service minded and leads by example by helping his material handlers pull orders, unload trucks, process returns, and handle all the responsibilities that come with the job. If you’re looking for Mike, you’re much more likely to find him working in the warehouse or out on the yard than sitting at his desk.
In closing, I would like to congratulate Mike on his hair growth and dancing ability, both of which have been very impressive during his time at Harbin Lumber Company.”
Outside of work, Michael’s greatest joy is his family. He and his wife, Donna, have been together for 35 years. He is a proud father, grandfather, gardener, and devoted family man. Whether he’s spending time with his grandchildren, working in his yard, serving at church, or helping people in his community, Michael’s heart for others is evident in everything he does. And his love for the Dallas Cowboys is something nobody can deny.
Michael’s impact on Harbin Lumber Company extends far beyond operations and logistics. He leads with humility, serves with purpose, and treats people with genuine care. He represents everything our STAR program stands for and serves as an example for all of us.
Congratulations, Michael, on being named our STAR Employee of the Month. Thank you for your leadership, your servant’s heart, your commitment to excellence, and the way you live out the STAR values every single day. We are grateful to have you as part of the Harbin Lumber Company family.